Welton S&SC silenced noisy neighbours Welton Sports AFC with an efficient 4-0 win in the first ever Social Club derby. Two goals a piece for star duo Scott Coupland and Jason Tinkler did the damage for the Socialites.
After last Weekends ugly scenes in the A46 derby against Scothern United a bumper crowd at Social Park
Both sides started brightly but it was the Socialites who appeared to be in the assendancy and almost took the lead in the 5th minute when Scott Coupland rattled Matt Wilkinsons right hand post,
Weltons talisman didn’t have to wait to long to get his name on the score sheet though after Luke Clifford was brought down by Matt Wilkinson to earn the Socialites a penalty much to the annoyance of the Welton Sports faithful. Upstepped Coupland though to calmly send Wilkinson the wrong way and give the Socialites the lead.
Coupland added a brilliant second on twenty minutes when Matt Wilkinson raced from his goal to head away a ball over the top by Paul Green, unfortunately for the Sportsmans keeper Coupland was able to brilliantly control and arrow a perfect half volley into the empty net from the touchline infornt of the packed John Stanham stand.
This seemed to spur the Sportsman into life though as they continued to try and play there football on a very difficult surface, A fierce drive from Jason Barrat was saved well by Stubbs in the Socialites goal only for the ball to fall to Alex Munn who forced Stubbs into a stunning save tipping the ball onto the top of the cross bar.
The cross bar again thwarted the Sports man 5 minutes later when Jason Barrat powerfully met full back Matt Wards right wing cross thundering a header onto the cross bar before the Socialites cleared to safety.
With half time looming Luke Clifford contrived to miss an unbelievable chance failing to tap into an empty net from 18 yards out after the bobbly pitch got the better of Matt Wilkinson.
HALF TIME: Welton S&SC 2-0 Welton Sports AFC
As with most games the next goal would prove to be crucial and after being in the ascendancy in the latter stages of the first The Sportsman’s supporters were expecting a barn storming second half from their heroes in purple but it was the men in Blue that started the second half the brightest and their early dominance was rewarded when Jason Tinkler jinked his way into the box and coolly side footed through Wilkinsons legs to give the Socialites a comfortable lead.
The Purples through caution to the wind now and started to throw men forward leaving huge gaps at the back allowing Tinkler to grab his second from almost exactly the same position rattling the ball in off the left hand post after a swift counter attack to make it 4-0.
Seemingly needing a miracle now Welton Sports Manager James Mulhall opted to bring Matt Wilkinson out pitch bringing on Steve Barron in goal but without co manager Mark Daly who was mysteriously not by his colleagues side Mulhall forgot that someone had to be withdrawn and James Demberey was eventually picked at random to be withdrawn.
The Sportsman kept pressing on for a consolation goal and a neat finish by Steve Smith appeared to have got them there goal until name sake Connor Smith miraculously cleared off the line.
Smith who acrimoniously made the cross Club switch in the Summer nearly compounded the Sportsman’s worst fears when he almost capped off an impressive display by rounding off a flowing move down the left hand side but much to the relief of the away support Smiths right footed effort drifted wide.
Despite the comfortable scoreline both sides deserve credit for producing an entertaining game with some lovely spells of football on a terrible surface, The game was also played in a surprisingly good spirit but there is no doubt that local bragging rights for now are firmly with Big Al’s Welton S&SC.
FINAL SCORE: Welton S&SC 4-0 Welton Sports AFC